Release Manager

The world around us is experiencing significant change, the greatest in generations. At McLaren Applied, we’re accelerating the response to that change. Our vision is that our people and technologies will pioneer a better future. Our mission is to achieve breakthroughs in performance. We’re at the cutting edge of innovation in markets including motorsport, automotive, electrification and transportation. We create solutions that drive performance, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We want to help to reduce the carbon footprint and become more sustainable.

The Connected Intelligence business unit delivers cutting-edge connectivity and analytics solutions globally across transportation and other markets. Leveraging technologies such as 5G, satellite communications, and in-house designed and manufactured electronics — combined with Formula 1-derived software — we provide high-performance, innovative systems tailored to modern mobility challenges.

This role is responsible for managing the delivery of software products within the Connected Intelligence business unit. Working closely with the Associate Director of Products, Programmes, and Engineering, the Release Manager collaborates extensively with Engineering Managers, Product Owners, and other stakeholders across the organisation. A key responsibility is overseeing the planning and execution of product releases, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This includes coordinating engineering activities, managing dependencies, and driving team alignment through detailed Agile planning and clear deliverables. The role also supports the deployment of managed service releases to customers, working in close partnership with Service Delivery Managers, Support, and Operations teams to ensure smooth and timely rollouts.

The ideal candidate will have experience in project or release management for software products, supported by a strong technical background in software development and a solid understanding of Agile methodologies.

• Owns and develops delivery and release plans, ensuring projects are scoped, scheduled, and executed in line with budget, business objectives, and customer expectations.
• Collaborates with Product and Engineering Managers to translate the product roadmap into committed delivery plans aligned with business priorities.
• Manages project budgets in accordance with approved business cases.
• Proactively identifies and manages risks, issues, and change from defined commercial and technical baselines.
• Oversees capacity planning across engineering teams to ensure effective resource allocation.
• Facilitates daily stand-ups, tracks progress and provides regular status updates to leadership.
• Continuously improves our methodologies and tools for planning and managing releases and resource capacity management.

• This role could be suitable for someone with a technical background currently in a scrum master or project management role who is looking for more responsibility and growth.
• Project Management experience in Software projects & programmes and can demonstrate successful delivery of previous projects would be beneficial.
• Ability to implement project performance metrics, communicate status of projects, proactively manage risks and escalate issues appropriately.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to be effective with engineers, senior leaders, and customers.
• Proficient in using technical task management and planning tools e.g. JIRA and good working knowledge of Microsoft Office systems.
• Strong understanding of formal project management methodologies – agile vs waterfall including formal training (AGILE, PRINCE 2, PMP, RMP, APM, MSP or similar) with examples of implementation.
• Working experience of Earned Value Management preferred.
• Degree qualification in Software Engineering, Computer Science or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience working in a software development environment a must.
• Ability to coordinate and motivate a team, set clear objectives, and manage performance expectations.

This role is based at our head office in Dukes Court, Woking, and falls under our hybrid working policy. Team members are expected to be in the office at least three days per week, coordinated with the wider Engineering team to support collaboration. Occasional travel to customer sites may also be required.

• Annual leave (25 days + bank holidays, pro-rated for part time colleagues).
• Enhanced Company Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave and pay.
• Flexible working policies, including Hybrid Working.
• Life assurance to the value of 4 times base salary.
• Opportunity to join the McLaren Applied Pension Plan.
• Company funded individual private healthcare with the opportunity to extend to partner or spouse and/or dependents at a discounted rate.
• Ride-to-work with Evans Cycles – take advantage of the Government’s Cycle-to-Work scheme which offers savings of up to 42% on the cost of a new bike, cycling accessories and components.
• Electric car scheme – opportunity to drive a brand-new car in a more affordable way through this salary sacrifice scheme.

McLaren Applied are a medium-sized tech firm spun out of McLaren Group. We’re looking for people who will thrive in a non-hierarchical, growth-orientated company, self-starters who are flexible and somewhat entrepreneurial in their approach. McLaren Applied are committed to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and promote DEI in all we do. McLaren Applied are also members of the UK Government Disability Confident Scheme.